Gibson-Park lights up Leinster win over tame Tigers

Jamison Gibson-Park lit up the Aviva Stadium as Leinster safely booked their passage to the last eight of the Investec Champions Cup and a rematch with knock-out nemesis La Rochelle.

The scrum-half was simply unplayable as he helped himself to a first-half hat-trick in front of 40,775 at the Dublin venue.

Storm Kathleen had passed by but the English visitors felt the full force of the former Hurricane's rugby repertoire.

Robbie Henshaw and Jack Conan added second-half tries as Leinster knocked the Tigers out of the competition for the third time in three seasons.

Ronan O'Gara’s La Rochelle earlier came from 16-0 behind and had to rely on Stormers’ out-half Manie Libbok missing a conversion attempt with the last kick of the game to hold onto their crown.

It sets up a repeat of the last two finals and a fifth meeting with Leinster in the last four seasons, with Leinster having just a solitary victory – the pool stage 16-9 win last December.

Seventh in the Premiership and missing influential England pair Ollie Chessum and George Martin from the squad, Leicester put up a respectable showing without ever causing major worry for Leo Cullen, who was able to introduce four forward replacements by the 52nd minute.

Job done for Leinster and all focus will now turn to next Saturday at the Aviva Stadium for the latest installment of Europe's biggest and most intriguing rivalry.

Tigers struck the opening blow of the contest, taking advantage after James Lowe skewed a kick out on the full.

Former Munster prop James Cronin combined with Jasper Wiese to break the line and quick ball from the subsequent rucks saw Dan Kelly, a former Ireland Under 20 cap, pop to Handre Pollard.

Handre Pollard opens the scoring for Leicester Tigers at the Aviva.